politic

How often is your loyalty questioned? Loyalty is something of value. Loyalty is a jewel that is hard to find in today’s society. Think of your loyalty to an organization. People do not spend the same amount of years working for the same company, as their parents and grandparents did. Think of the marriages that end in divorce. People are quicker to terminate marriages for the smallest of issues, such as “irreconcilable differences.” Loyalty is a strong force that will keep you in any relationship, whether business or personal.

Your loyalty to someone or even an organization will always have a high appraisal value. When your mate for example senses a hint of disloyalty in you, the level of trust goes down. When trust diminishes, the relationship deteriorates. The same is true for the organization you work for. When disloyalty is evident in you, your opportunities for growth in that organization are lost. Trust and loyalty go hand in hand.

The opposite obviously is disloyalty. So how is disloyalty shown? Simply in what you say and sometimes what you do. Do you gather at the water fountain with other employees to bad-mouth what management is doing? Do you tell your mate’s secrets to your friends, knowing that if your mate found out, he or she will be highly embarrassed or upset? In terms of what you do, how likely are you to allow someone to speak evil of a friend or relative of yours without you speaking up for them? What if your coworkers say negative things about your CEO? Is he or she worthy of your defense?

Loyalty is rooted in the heart. It is not superficial by any means. It is a code by which one lives. It is a standard that will gain you allies for life. It is true that one can be loyal to people or organizations that are negative, such as gangs or terror groups. So loyalty in itself is not a sign of a good trait. What is important is who or what you are loyal to.

Now, loyalty is not just a matter of you showing it for the sake of being loyal. The reason you are loyal is because the other party has your interest at heart. Loyalty is required on the parts of both parties. If your company for example is not showing you signs of job security or passes you up for promotion when you are the most qualified, then the company is not being loyal to you. Going back to Trust, it is diminished in your eyes. Likewise with your personal relationships. All parties involved must show loyalty. If you are not benefiting from the relationship, then the loyalty level is dropping.

So be a person who is known for being loyal. However be a smart loyal person. If you are given reasons to distrust the other party, your loyalty level will naturally drop and you must demand that corrections are made. If corrections are not made, then you have reasons to terminate the relationship.